Brigadier General Anthony Wayne to George Washington, 7 May 1781
From Brigadier General Anthony Wayne
Phila. 7th May 1781
Dear General
I was honored with your favor of the 8th Ultimo,1 an extract of which I immediately laid before Congress & the Executive Council of this State, accompanied by a letter to the latter of which the Inclosed is a Copy, with a view to stimulate them to facilitate the advance of the troops,2 but difficulties arrising in the manner of payment &ca &ca and perhaps an Idea that their services might be wanted nearer this place, has hitherto retarded our march, however those difficulties are nearly surmounted the Artillery & Second regiments are at Wrights ferry on their way to York where they will be met by the first & fourth; the third will march from Easton tomorrow, & I expect to draw the Whole together, so as to be able to take up our line of March from the General rendezvous in the course of next week, I shall proceed for that place tomorrow,3 and as soon as the Detatchment is properly Organized will do myself the honor of sending your Excellency a particular return of our force Stores &ca.4
In the Arrangement transmitted from Trenton in Jany last there were some omissions, & one mistake, which ought to be5 ratified agreeable to the within list,6 will your Excellency please to give the necessary Directions to the board of War on the Occation,7 & believe me with the sincerest Esteem Your Excellency’s Most Obt and very Hume Sert
Anty Wayne
ALS, DLC:GW; ADfS, PHi: Wayne Papers.
1. When he wrote Wayne on 8 April, GW emphasized the need for the Pennsylvania line’s rapid movement to the southern theater (see Wayne to GW, 19 March, n.7).
2. Wayne enclosed his letter to Joseph Reed, president of the Pennsylvania Supreme Executive Council, written from Philadelphia on Friday, 13 April: “Inclosed is an extract of a letter from his Excellency Genl Washington of the 8th instant, by which you’l see his anxiety & wishes for my advance towards the southward with as great a proportion of the Pennsa line as possible, without one moments delay.” An extended appeal for money to cover bounties and depreciation pay preceded a final paragraph: “I beg leave to Inform your Excelly & the Honble Council in confidence, that if I am enabled to take up my line of March from the General rendezvous, by Monday or tuesday week, we have the fairest prospect, in conjunction with other troops (ready for the purpose) to give a happy turn to affairs, by the Interception of the Grenadiers & light Infantry under Genl Phillips, pressing for a junction with Lord Cornwallis” (DLC:GW; see also , 1st ser., 9:74).
3. Instead of the preceding seven words, Wayne wrote on his draft: “I leave this City tomorrow and will reach York in two days.”
4. See Wayne to GW, 26 May.
5. Wayne wrote “be” on his draft but inadvertently omitted that word on the ALS.
6. See Wayne to GW, 21 Jan., and n.3 to that document. The enclosed list has not been identified.